Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-04-09
EXECUTIVE MANSION,

WASHINGTON, April (, 1851.
George Steele, Esq, President An,ericda
Fishery Union, and Others Gloucester, Mass
GENTLEMEN: / have received your letter
lately addressed to me, and have given
full consideration to the expression of
views and wishes therein contained.
In relation to the existing differ
ences between the Government of
Great Britain and the United States,
growing out of the refusal of the award to
our citizens engaged in fishing enterprises
of the privilege to which they are entitled
(either under treaty stipulations or the
guarantees of international comfy and
neighborly concession), ! sincerely trust
the apprehension you express of unjust
and unfriendly treatment of American
fishermen lawfully found in Canadian
waters will not be realized; but, if such
apprehension should prove to be well
founded, l earnestly hope that no fault or
inconsiderate action of any of our citizens
will in the least weaken the just position
of our Government, or deprive us of the
sympathy and support to which we should
be entitled. The action of this admins
tration since June, 1885, when the fishery
articles of the treaty of 1871 were ter
minated under the notification which had
two years before been given by our Gov
ernment, has been fully disclosed by the
correspondence between the appropriate
departments of the respective Govern
ments, and of which | am apprised by
your letter you are entirely familiar. An
examination of the correspondence doubt
less satisfied you that in no case have the
rights or privileges of American fisher
men been overlooked or neglected, but
that on the contrary they have been
sedulously insisted upon and cared for by
every means within control of the Execu-
tive branch of the Government. The Act
of Congress approved March 3, 1887, author
iZing course of retaliation through Ex-
ecutive action, in the event of continu-
ance on the part of the British American
authorities, of unfriendly conduct and
treaty violations affecting American fisher
men, has devolved upon the President of
the United States exceedingly grave and
solemn responsibilities comprehending
highly important consequences to our ma
tional character and dignity, and involving
extremely valuable commercial intercourse
between the British Possessions of North
America and the people of the United
States. | understand the main purpose of
your letter is to suggest, that in case a re-
course to the retaliatory measures author
lied by this Act should be invoked by
unjust treatment of our fishermen in
the future, the object of such retaliation
might be accomplished bv prohibiting
Canadian caught fish from entering into
ports of the United States The existing
controversy is one in which two nations
are the parties concerned. The retaliation
CONTEMPLATED by the Act of Congress is to
be enforced, not to protect solely any par
ticular interest, however valuable, but to
maintain the national honor, and thus pro-
all IL T.. a..
ton of American fishing rights, and unjust
or unfriendly acts towards portion of our
citizens engaged in this business, is an oc-
casion for action, and constitutes national
affront, which may give birth to or may
Justify retaliation. These measures once
reverted, its effectiveness and value may
well depend upon the thoroughness and
extent of its application and in the per-
fOrmance of international duties the en-
forcement of international rights and pro-
lection of our citizens. this Government
and people OF the United States must act as
a unit, all intent upon attaining the best
result of retaliation upon the basis of the
maintenance OF our national honor and
duty.
A nation seeking by any means to main
tain its honor, dignity and integrity is en-
gagged in protecting the rights of its people,
ana III III Sucn efforts particular interests
are injured and special advantages forfeited,
these things should be patriotically borne
for the public good. The immense volume
of population, manufactures and agricult-
ural productions marine tonnage and rail-
ways to which these have given activity,
all largely the result of intercourse be-
tween the United States and British Amer
lea, and the natural outgrowth of full half
a century of good neighborhood and
friendly communication. form an aggregate
of material wealth and incidental relations
OF most impressive magnitude.
l fully appreciate these things, and am
not unmindful of the great number of our
people who are concerned in such vast and
diversified interests. In the performance
of the serious duty which Congress has inn
posed upon me in the exercise, upon Just
occasion, of the power conferred under the
Act referred to, shall deem myself bound
TO infiict no unnecessary damage or injury
upon any portion of the people but shall
nevertheless be unflinchingly guided by
sense Of that self-respect which the dignity
of the nation demands. In maintenance
of these, and in support of the honor of
Government beneath which every citizen
may repose in safety, no sacrifice of per
sonal or private interests shall be consid-
cred, as against general welfare. Yours
very trulv Grover CrFvrrAND